tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post8462756899578972635..comments2023-07-02T09:25:23.716-04:00Comments on A Wilderness Life: Questions and Answers, Part 3Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-55334905236315259132008-10-03T10:26:00.000-04:002008-10-03T10:26:00.000-04:00I'm with you: I am pretty solid with the Calv...I'm with you: I am pretty solid with the Calvinist/Reformed view.<br><br>However, I too appreciate some of the notes of the Lutheran view, though it verges in practice on a form of mild sacerdotalism. THAT is the problem I have with anything that is called a sacrament: the view that participation in it conveys saving grace. (Sacerdotal means "salvation-giving.") For example, I recall a Lutheran pastor's advice to me regarding someone who was dying but unsure of his salvation: "Just go 'commune' him, so he'll be sure." Seems like there is an implicit sacerdotal view of the Eucharist there: give a guy the bread and cup, and he'll have assurance of salvation. Note that I'm not asserting this is the official view of Lutheranism: just the implication from one Lutheran pastor.<br><br>Laura's DadLaura's Dadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-79612950557551118832008-10-03T10:43:01.689-04:002008-10-03T10:43:01.689-04:00Well, it does make sense with what Luther said abo...Well, it does make sense with what Luther said about election: "Do you doubt that you are elect? Then say your prayers and you may be sure that you are." Which I agree with, given that those who wrestle and struggle <i>against</i> doubt are often the most likely to be regenerate. In other words, if you're not even concerned, if you're not working out your salvation with fear and trembling, then that's evidence the Holy Spirit is not present to convict you of sin, etc.<br><br>So understanding that Lutheran theology is often deliberately obtuse, "just go commune him" means a lot more than "just give the guy the bread and cup and he'll have assurance" -- it means that a person who wrestles with their salvation ought to receive assurance from their inclusion in the sacrament. Another reason church discipline is SO important! If your church has excluded you from the Lord's Table, you have <i>darn good reason</i> to doubt your salvation. But if your church "communicates" you, they are affirming their belief in your salvation. Right? Right? Church discipline! Woot!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-24942274274299382752008-10-03T23:20:00.000-04:002008-10-03T23:20:00.000-04:00Agreed, 100%. HowEVer, the way this guy said it r...Agreed, 100%. HowEVer, the way this guy said it reminded me SO much of the old Roman Catholic doctrine regarding the efficacy of the sacrament (ex opere operato [i.e. out of the work it works]), which maintains that the sacrament is effectual in conveying saving grace based upon the faith and proper administration of the person dispensing the sacrament. The guy said, "Just go COMMUNE him," using that term as a transitive verb, something I could do TO him, and that would accomplish his assurance. He didn't say to me, "Go testify to the man of the validity of his faith based upon the credible evidence of regeneration I observe in his life." He said, "Go do something TO him, whereby assurance of salvation will be imparted to his life." I know it may seem a picky point, but I find evidence of creeping sacerdotalism widespread even among avowed evangelicals. "But, I walked forward and said that prayer. I even got baptized. Doesn't that prove I'm saved?" Creeping sacerdotalism, fostered by a mishandling of the gospel and the non-valid supposition that we can effect salvation in someone else's life by what we do TO them. <br><br>Wow. I'm becoming a Calvinist. Sheesh!<br><br>Laura's DadLaura's Dadnoreply@blogger.com